More homeowners tap into green design features

The AIA Home Design Survey for the second quarter showed that 88 percent of homebuyers are interested in tankless water heaters, up from 72 percent a year ago. The survey also found that 62 percent of respondents were considering green flooring materials, up from 62 percent in 2007. Other key features home buyers are seeking include extra insulation (68 percent) and recycled materials (60 percent) and energy-efficient home systems (69 percent).

“There is a strong demand for green home design features and products like solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling and water reclamation systems,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, in a news release. “As there is more focus on making homes more energy-efficient, there is less emphasis on investing in special-function rooms such as home offices and game rooms.”

The survey is conducted with 500 architecture firms that concentrate their work in the residential sector.